Magnetic removal or identification of damaged or compromised cells or cellular structures

ABSTRACT

A method for magnetic cellular manipulation may include contacting a composition with a biological sample to form a mixture. The composition may include a plurality of particles. Each particle in the plurality of particles may include a magnetic substrate. The magnetic substrate may be characterized by a magnetic susceptibility greater than zero. The composition may also include a chargeable silicon-containing compound. The chargeable silicon-containing compound may coat at least a portion of the magnetic substrate. The biological sample may include cells and/or cellular structures. The method may also include applying a magnetic field to the mixture to manipulate the composition.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/974,139 filed Aug. 23, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Applications 61/694,756 filed Aug. 29, 2012, the contents of which are all incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Increasing the number or percentage of membrane intact, viable cells in a sample may improve overall sample quality, and may increase the success of subsequent procedures. For example, an increase in the number or percentage of membrane intact, viable sperm in a fresh or frozen/thawed sample may improve overall sperm quality. Cleavage rates for both in vitro and in vivo fertilization procedures may be increased. Embryo quality may be enhanced and embryonic losses may be reduced, which may lead to increased pregnancy rates.

Magnetic cellular separation of apoptotic sperm has been achieved using annexin V. However, it is desirable to remove sperm cells and sperm cellular structures compromised in ways other than just apoptosis. Moreover, annexin V technology may be limited because the binding buffer may negatively affect sperm motility. Further, the cost of the reagents may potentially limit routine clinical application and adaptation of the protocol to handle higher volumes and cell concentrations.

The present application appreciates that magnetic cellular manipulation may be a challenging endeavor.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a composition for magnetic cellular manipulation is provided. The composition may include a plurality of particles. Each particle in the plurality of particles may include a magnetic substrate. The magnetic substrate may be characterized by a magnetic susceptibility greater than zero. Each particle in the plurality of particles may also include a chargeable silicon-containing compound. The chargeable silicon-containing compound may coat at least a portion of the magnetic substrate.

In another embodiment, a method for magnetic cellular manipulation is provided. The method may include contacting a composition with a biological sample to form a mixture. The composition may include a plurality of particles. Each particle in the plurality of particles may include a magnetic substrate. The magnetic substrate may be characterized by a magnetic susceptibility greater than zero. Each particle in the plurality of particles may include a chargeable silicon-containing compound. The chargeable silicon-containing compound may coat at least a portion of the magnetic substrate. The biological sample may include cells and/or cellular structures. The method may also include applying a magnetic field to the mixture to manipulate the composition.

In one embodiment, a kit for magnetic cellular manipulation is provided. The kit may include instructions. The instructions may include contacting a composition with a biological sample to form a mixture. The instructions may also include applying a magnetic field to the mixture to manipulate the composition. The kit may also include the composition. The composition may include a plurality of particles. Each particle in the plurality of particles may include a magnetic substrate. The magnetic substrate may be characterized by a magnetic susceptibility greater than zero. Each particle in the plurality of particles may include a chargeable silicon-containing compound. The chargeable silicon-containing compound may coat at least a portion of the magnetic substrate.

Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the described methods and processes will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows; and, in part, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following; or may be learned by practice of the described methods and processes. The objects and advantages of the described methods and processes may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out, as well as those items shown by inference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the described methods and processes as related to sperm cells, and, together with the description, serve to explain the broad general cellular principles of the described methods and processes.

FIG. 1A shows flow cytometry analysis of an unlabeled ejaculate sample before example magnetic particle treatment, plotted as side light scatter (SSC-H) as a function of forward light scatter (FSC-H) measurements;

FIG. 1B shows flow cytometry analysis of an unlabeled ejaculate sample before example magnetic particle treatment, plotted as fluorescence height (FL2-H) in counts, with nearly all cells live (M1);

FIG. 1C shows flow cytometry analysis of an unlabeled ejaculate sample before example magnetic particle treatment, plotted as a two-parameter dot plot of two fluorescence height measurements, FL2-H and FL1-H;

FIG. 1D shows flow cytometry analysis of an ejaculate sample before example magnetic particle treatment, labeled with propidium iodide, plotted as side light scatter (SSC-H) as a function of forward light scatter (FSC-H) measurements;

FIG. 1E shows flow cytometry analysis of an ejaculate sample before example magnetic particle treatment, labeled with propidium iodide, plotted as fluorescence height (FL2-H) in counts, showing original dead untreated cells (M2, 81.32%) and original live cells (M1, 18.68%);

FIG. 1F shows flow cytometry analysis of an ejaculate sample before example magnetic particle treatment, labeled with propidium iodide, plotted as a two-parameter dot plot of two fluorescence height measurements, FL2-H and FL1-H;

FIG. 1G shows flow cytometry analysis of an ejaculate sample with particles but before magnetic treatment at 34° C., plotted as side light scatter (SSC-H) as a function of forward light scatter (FSC-H) measurements;

FIG. 111 shows flow cytometry analysis of an ejaculate sample with particles but before magnetic treatment at 34° C., plotted as fluorescence height (FL2-H) in counts, showing dead particle treated cells (M2, 14.73%) and live particle treated cells (M1, 85.27%);

FIG. 1I shows flow cytometry analysis of an ejaculate sample with particles but before magnetic treatment at 34° C., plotted as a two-parameter dot plot of two fluorescence height measurements, FL2-H and FL1-H;

FIG. 1J shows flow cytometry analysis of an ejaculate sample with particles but before magnetic treatment at 25° C., plotted as side light scatter (SSC-H) as a function of forward light scatter (FSC-H) measurements;

FIG. 1K shows flow cytometry analysis of an ejaculate sample with particles but before magnetic treatment at 25° C., plotted as fluorescence height (FL2-H) in counts, showing dead particle treated cells (M2, 18.32%) and live particle treated cells (M1, 81.68%);

FIG. 1L shows flow cytometry analysis of an ejaculate sample with particles but before magnetic treatment at 25° C., plotted as a two-parameter dot plot of two fluorescence height measurements, FL2-H and FL1-H;

FIG. 2A shows zeta potential analysis details of example particles described herein as re-suspended in storage buffer at −28.2 mV;

FIG. 2B shows zeta potential analysis details of example particles described herein as re-suspended in storage buffer at −28.2 mV, as a plot of phase versus time in seconds;

FIG. 3A shows zeta potential analysis details of example particles described herein as re-suspended in storage buffer at −22.4 mV;

FIG. 3B shows zeta potential analysis details of example particles described herein as re-suspended in storage buffer at −22.4 mV, as a plot of phase versus time in seconds;

FIG. 4A shows zeta potential analysis details of example particles described herein as re-suspended in TALP buffer at −24.6 mV;

FIG. 4B shows zeta potential analysis details of example particles described herein as re-suspended in TALP buffer at −24.6 mV, as a plot of phase versus time in seconds;

FIG. 5A shows zeta potential analysis details of example particles described herein as re-suspended in MES buffer at −16.5 mV;

FIG. 5B shows zeta potential analysis details of example particles described herein as re-suspended in MES buffer at −16.5 mV, as a plot of phase versus time in seconds;

FIG. 6A shows zeta potential analysis details of example particles described herein as re-suspended in dH2O −26.6 mV;

FIG. 6B shows zeta potential analysis details of example particles described herein as re-suspended in dH2O −26.6 mV, as a plot of phase versus time in seconds;

FIG. 7A shows zeta potential analysis details of example particles described herein as re-suspended in TRIS buffer at −42.4 mV;

FIG. 7B shows zeta potential analysis details of example particles described herein as re-suspended in TRIS buffer at −42.4 mV, plotted as mobility in μmem/Vs;

FIG. 7C shows zeta potential analysis details of example particles described herein as re-suspended in TRIS buffer at −42.4 mV, plotted as frequency shift in Hz;

FIG. 7D shows zeta potential analysis details of example particles described herein as re-suspended in TRIS buffer at −42.4 mV, as a plot of phase versus time in seconds;

FIG. 7E shows zeta potential analysis details of example particles described herein as re-suspended in TRIS buffer at −42.4 mV, plotted as zeta potential voltage and current versus time in seconds; and

FIG. 7F shows zeta potential analysis details of example particles described herein as re-suspended in TRIS buffer at −42.4 mV, plotted as a histogram.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The described methods and processes may include a variety of aspects, which may be combined in different ways and may be applied to differing cells or cellular materials. The following descriptions are provided to list elements and describe some of the embodiments of the described methods and processes. These elements are listed with initial embodiments and are shown in examples of an embodiment relative to sperm as but one initial example. However, it should be understood that each and every permutation and combination of all aspects disclosed may be applied in any manner and in any number to create additional embodiments for additional cells or cellular structures. The variously described examples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the described methods and processes to only the explicitly described systems, techniques, and applications. Further, this description should be understood to support and encompass descriptions and claims of all of the various embodiments, systems, substances, elements, techniques, methods, devices, and applications with any number of the disclosed elements, with each element alone, and also with any and all various permutations and combinations of all elements in this or any subsequent application.

Briefly described, embodiments of the described methods and processes include a method for removing or identifying cells or cellular structures having damaged membranes from those with intact membranes, thereby enriching sample or cellular viability. The method may be applied to cells such as contained in freshly collected samples, after dilution, during and after cooling, or during and after other cell or system procedures that may be employed prior to cryopreservation, or to frozen/thawed cell samples. The method may also be used for samples that may be used immediately. The method may also be used for samples that may be held for a period of time or extended in buffers or other substances. For example, the method may also be used for samples that may be held at 4° C. to 40° C. for at least about 12, 24, 30, 36, 48, 60, 72 hours or more. The method may also be used for samples that include but are not limited to samples that have an osmolarity of 250-375 mOsm. The enriched cell populations may be used for routine procedures, prior to or after other processing techniques, prior to or after shipment of samples, and prior to or after long-term cryopreservation or other processes.

Embodiments related to sperm may include a method for removing sperm having damaged membranes from those with intact membranes to enrich sperm viability of a sperm sample. The method may be applied to sperm contained in freshly collected neat ejaculates, after dilution, during and after cooling, or during and after other semen processing procedures that may be employed prior to cryopreservation, or to frozen/thawed sperm. The method may also be used for neat or extended sperm samples to be used immediately. The method may also be used for neat or extended sperm samples held up to 30 h at 4° C. to 40° C., or extended in sperm rich buffers that have an osmolarity of 250-375 mOsm. The enriched sperm populations may be used for routine artificial insemination, prior to or after sperm sexing techniques, prior to or after shipment of semen for routine or sperm sexing purposes or cryopreservation purposes, or for in vitro fertilization, for all mammalian sperm.

In some embodiments, damage to the membranes of intact cells may be reduced by removing known harmful effects caused by damaged cells. For example, DNA fragmentation, oxidative damage caused by peroxidation, and the premature release of proteolytic and hydrolytic enzymes may be examples of effects attributable to membrane damage. Damage to cell sample integrity may reduce lifespan both in vitro and in vivo, may reduce desired cellular functional ability, and may cause poor resultant capabilities.

With respect to sperm as one, non-limiting example, damage to the membranes of intact sperm may be reduced by removing known harmful effects caused by damaged sperm. For example, DNA fragmentation, oxidative damage caused by peroxidation, and the premature release of proteolytic and hydrolytic enzymes may be examples of sperm damage caused by membrane damaged sperm. Damage to spermatozoal integrity may reduce sperm lifespan both in vitro and in vivo, may reduce fertilization ability, and likely causes poor embryo quality, which may be a major source of infertility in mammals.

Mammalian sperm with good fertility may exhibit a high frequency of morphologically-normal, viable sperm. Current procedures for semen processing for sex selection, cooling, or cryopreservation may have detrimental effects on the metabolism and motility of sperm, as well as on the status of sperm membrane domains. The net result of these effects may be reduced sperm functionality. Magnetic removal of damaged or compromised cells or cellular structures may reduce a detrimental effect on the quality of live and normal sperm that may be caused by dead and abnormal sperm.

The pH of the medium suspending the cells may affect the charge of proteins comprising the cells. Proteins may function as dipolar ions, for example, due to the ionization of the various R groups of the amino acids that make up their primary structure. Medium pH may affect interactions between such proteins. For example, capacitation of sperm may involve removal of seminal coating proteins absorbed on the sperm's surface membrane. Increasing the pH of the capacitating medium from may be expected to alter the binding of proteins to the sperm's surface. Altering the binding of proteins to the sperm's surface may cause or be associated with capacitation. For example, the capacitating medium may have a baseline pH between about 6.5 and 8.5, or in some examples between about 7.2 and about 8.4. The capacitating medium may increase in pH in association with or in causation of successful capacitation. The increase in pH of the capacitating medium in association with or in causation of successful capacitation may be, in pH units, at least about 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, or 1. In some examples, the increase in pH in association with or in causation of successful capacitation may be about 0.36 pH units.

Ionic components of the culture medium may influence mammalian sperm motility and a sperm's ability to penetrate an oocyte. The pH of the medium may cause the ionization of substances within the medium, for example, including intrinsic sperm membrane proteins and extrinsic, absorbed seminal plasma proteins. The pH of the medium may determine many aspects of the structure and function of biological macromolecules, including enzyme activity, and the behavior of cells.

The net charge on a cell surface may be affected by pH of the surrounding environment and may become more positively or negatively charged due to the loss or gain of protons. At or near physiological sperm pH, the net surface charge may be negative. Biological membranes, including sperm, may be negatively charged in physiological pH, mainly as a result of the presence of acidic phospholipids. About 10-20% of the total membrane lipids may be anionic. Because the membrane may be exposed to surrounding aqueous buffer, specific interactions with outer medium components may occur. Charged groups of membrane components and solutions ions may be involved in the resulting equilibria. The equilibria may be affected by different factors and processes leading to a membrane surface charge density variation. The net charge may be also influenced by membrane composition, ionic strength of electrolytes, and solution pH.

Viable mammalian sperm may have a net negative surface charge at the plasma membrane. As sperm undergo capacitation followed by the acrosome reaction, net charge may become less negative and more positive. The net charge may become less negative and more positive due to, for example, loss of negative groups, such as sialic acid groups. Capacitation may be characterized by the removal of coating materials from the sperm surface. Capacitation may be the penultimate step in fertilization, resulting in an increased permeability of the plasma membrane to Ca²⁺ ions, and allowing the sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction or death if fertilization does not occur. A viable mature human sperm may have a negative zeta potential of −16 to −20 mV (differential potential between the sperm membrane and its surroundings), which may decrease with capacitation to become more positively charged or near zero.

Sperm pre-capacitation may result in ova fertilization failure. Further, damage to sperm chromatin may result in poor embryo quality. Because fertilization, as one example of many other cellular functions in this class, may be a time-sensitive event and good embryo quality may be essential for timely embryo development, both may be adversely affected by sperm quality. Factors released from damaged sperm or other cells may be partly responsible for further cellular damage to the remaining subpopulation of cells such as normal sperm. For example, freshly killed dead sperm may have reduced livability of sperm in diluted bovine semen. Further, freshly ejaculated sperm subjected to elevated temperatures before ejaculation may exhibit high reactive oxidative species levels. Thus, the toxic effect of dead cells, including but not limited to sperm, may be due to amino acid oxidase activity. Dead and abnormal cells such as sperm may have toxic effects on companion cells. Dead and abnormal cells may reduce cellular sample functionality such as fertility.

In various embodiments of the described methods and processes, carboxyl group functionalized, silane-coated magnetic particles may be used ranging in physical diameter from 300 nm to 800 nm and an average hydrodynamic diameter of about 330 nm. In some embodiments, the carboxyl group functional silane coated magnetic particles may be used without further surface manipulation since the carboxyl group on the silane contributes to the particles having a net negative electrical charge or zeta potential. Sperm may increase in intracellular pH with capacitation, which may cause the membrane of the capacitated and dead sperm to lose net negative zeta potential and shift toward a neutral (zero) or more positive zeta potential. The negatively charged magnetic particles may bind specifically to compromised, damaged, or dead sperm. In addition, the silane surface may also be conjugated to other substances such as by standard EDC/NHS chemistry. In some examples, EDC-mediated coupling efficiency may be increased by adding the presence of substances such as amine reactive esters for the conversion of carboxyl groups to amines.

In various embodiments, the described processes and methods may be used to differentiate necrotic, apoptotic, and normal cells. In the example discussed, the carboxyl modified silane surface binds to the membrane of the dead and dying sperm through an electrical charge interaction known as zeta potential. Material may spontaneously acquire a positive or negative surface electrical charge when brought into contact with a polar medium (e.g., water). For example, an interface in deionized water may be negatively charged. An ionization of surface groups to form a surface electrical charge may be observed with metal oxide surfaces (M-OH) as well as materials that may contain carboxyl and/or amino groups, such as proteins, ionic polymers, and polyelectrolytes. Ionization and/or dissociation, degree of charge development, net molecular charge, and sign, either positive or negative, may depend on the pH of the surrounding medium.

The conjugation of carboxyl group functional magnetic particles may additionally be applied to, for example, fluorescent stains. SYBR-14 and bis-benzamide are example membrane permeable stains that may be used to distinguish cells from other background substances. In the sperm cell embodiment, such fluorescent stains may distinguish sperm cells from diluent particles frequently found in extenders employed in non-frozen storage or cryopreservation of sperm. Other examples of fluorescent probes may include JC-1 and rhodamine 123, which may be used to assess the respiration rate of cell mitochondria; or fluorescently labeled agglutinins from the pea (PSA) or peanut (PNA) that may be used to detect acrosome-reacted cells such as sperm. Other labels include but are not limited to acridine orange (e.g., to remove apoptotic cells); 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD), which may be also a DNA intercalating agent in double stranded DNA with a high affinity for GC rich regions; food coloring such as Allura Red (FD&C Red #40), Sunset Yellow (FD&C Yellow #6), Indigo carmine (FD&C Blue #2), and Fast Green FCF (FD&C #3).

The cell plasma membrane may cover the entire cell and may have distinct membrane compartments, such as, in the sperm cell example, the head, middle and principal portions. Since the plasma membrane may be composed of distinct membrane compartments, different stains may be used alone or in combination with other stains to assess the integrity of the different plasma membrane compartments.

In some embodiments of the described methods and processes, cells with varying degrees of membrane damage may be labeled with magnetic particles containing a charged surface. This may be in contrast to the use of annexin-V/microbead magnetic cell sorting procedures that fail to identify and/or remove pre-capacitated or acrosomal reacted sperm because the PS does not become externalized in these examples. When membrane damaged sperm or cellular structures labeled with the surface charged magnetic particles are placed in a magnetic field, such cells or cellular structures may be eliminated from the general population. The resultant harvested sub-population of viable cells, perhaps such as sperm, may be further processed for cryopreservation, non-frozen transport and storage, functional utilization (such as sex selection for sperm), or used in related aspects, perhaps such as assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) for sperm or the like.

Embodiments of the described methods and processes may be used with any type of magnetically identifying separating apparatus, including but not limited to devices incorporating columns, such as magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) products, devices using simple magnetic fields applied to test tubes or containers, or high throughput magnetic devices.

Targeted dead and dying cells labeled with magnetic particles and subjected to magnetic cell separation in an open, column-less magnetic system may be removed more efficiently and in greater numbers per time unit compared to flow cytometry. Magnetic cell separation may be utilized with no internal operating pressure, or if pressurized, a lower internal operating pressure; and the stream of fluid containing the cells may avoid being broken into cell damaging droplets as for flow cytometry. Further, the sheath fluid for flow cytometry may be generally a salt-based, lipoprotein-deficient physiological medium. Magnetic cell separation may allow some cells, such as sperm, to be bathed in nutrient-rich buffers that may promote and prolong cell viability during the separation procedure.

The described methods and processes may remove necrotic cells or cellular structures that have been traumatized during cell processing procedures such as cryopreservation, centrifugation, and staining. Necrotic damage may occur by different cellular processes than that caused in one example by sperm senescence, which may be a naturally occurring cause of cellular death.

In other magnetic cell separation applications, embodiments of the described methods and processes may be used to label cells uniquely, such as sperm, with one or more fluorochrome stains, targeting a specific cell or sperm attribute. The targeted cell or sperm cell may be selectively killed or rendered non-functional, with an energy source, including but not limited to an electrical charge or pulse of laser light. The described methods and processes may be used to magnetically label and ultimately remove the non-functional cell or sperm through magnetic cell separation procedures. The resultant desired sub-population of harvested cells may be selected for membrane intactness (viability) as well as for specific cellular attributes, including but not limited to, in the sperm example, chromosomal sex selection.

In various embodiments, a composition for magnetic cellular manipulation is provided. The composition may include a plurality of particles. Each particle in the plurality of particles may include a magnetic substrate. The magnetic substrate may be characterized by a magnetic susceptibility greater than zero. Each particle in the plurality of particles may also include a chargeable silicon-containing compound. The chargeable silicon-containing compound may coat at least a portion of the magnetic substrate.

“Magnetic susceptibility” means the response of a sample, such as the magnetic substrate, to an externally applied magnetic field. For example, a magnetic susceptibility of less than or equal to zero may be associated with diamagnetism. A magnetic susceptibility of greater than zero may be associated with magnetic properties other than diamagnetism. For example, in various embodiments, the magnetic substrate may be characterized by one or more of paramagnetism, superparamagnetism, ferromagnetism, or ferromagnetism. The magnetic substrate may include a metal oxide, such as a transition metal oxide, for example, an iron oxide. In some examples, the magnetic substrate may include Fe₃O₄.

A “chargeable silicon-containing compound” is any silicon containing molecule, polymer, or material that may be caused to acquire or hold a charge, e.g., via functionalization with charged or chargeable moieties. Chargeable/charged moieties may include, but are not limited to, species (and ions thereof) of: metals; oxides; carboxylates; amines; amides; carbamides; sulfates; sulfonates; sulfites; phosphonates; phosphates; halides; hydroxides; and combinations thereof. For example, the chargeable silicon-containing compound may include 2-(carbomethoxy)ethyltrimethoxysilane.

In various examples, the composition may include a zeta potential charge. For example, the chargeable silicon-containing compound may include a negative zeta potential charge. The chargeable silicon-containing compound may include a positive zeta potential charge. In some examples, at least a portion of the plurality of particles may include a first zeta potential charge. The portion of the plurality of particles may form a complex with one or more cells or cellular structures that include a second zeta potential charge. The second zeta charge may be opposite in sign compared to the first zeta charge. In several embodiments, at least a portion of the plurality of particles may include a negative zeta potential charge. The portion of the plurality of particles may form a complex with one or more sperm cells or sperm cellular structures that include a positive zeta potential charge.

In various embodiments, the plurality of particles may include at least one of a protein, an antibody, and a dye. The protein, antibody, or dye may be conjugated to the chargeable silicon-containing compound. For example, the chargeable silicon-containing compound may include 2-(carbomethoxy)ethyltrimethoxysilane, and the protein, antibody, or dye may be conjugated to the 2-(carbomethoxy) group, e.g., via an amide bond.

In another embodiment, a method for magnetic cellular manipulation is provided. The method may include contacting a composition with a biological sample to form a mixture. The composition may include a plurality of particles. Each particle in the plurality of particles may include a magnetic substrate. The magnetic substrate may be characterized by a magnetic susceptibility greater than zero. Each particle in the plurality of particles may include a chargeable silicon-containing compound. The chargeable silicon-containing compound may coat at least a portion of the magnetic substrate. The biological sample may include cells and/or cellular structures. The method may also include applying a magnetic field to the mixture to manipulate the composition.

A “biological sample” may include any natural or prepared composition that includes the cells and/or cellular structures. Natural samples may include, for example, biological fluids containing cells or cellular structures, such as blood, lymphatic fluids, intestinal fluids, intercellular fluids, sweat, tears, urine, semen, mucosal secretions, synovial fluid, and the like. Natural samples may include fluids typically free of cells or cellular structures, but which may include cells or cellular structures as part of injury, illness, genetic defect, or other pathological conditions. Prepared samples may include any biopsy, tissue homogenate, or other prepared form of biological tissue. Typically, the biological sample will include at least one cell or cellular structure characterized by a zeta potential charge. The biological sample may include at least two or more cells or cellular structures characterized by zeta potential charges differing in sign or charge density. For example, a biological sample may include a first cell characterized by a first zeta potential charge and a second cell characterized by a second zeta potential charge opposite in sign to the first zeta potential charge.

In some embodiments, the method may include causing the chargeable silicon-containing compound to acquire a first zeta potential charge. The first zeta potential charge may be opposite in sign compared to a second zeta potential charge comprised by the cells and/or cellular structures in the biological sample. Causing the chargeable silicon-containing compound to acquire the first zeta potential charge may include contacting the chargeable silicon-containing compound to a polar medium, as described herein.

In several embodiments, the method may include causing the composition and at least a portion of the cells and/or cellular structures in the biological sample to form a complex. Applying the magnetic field to the mixture to manipulate the composition may manipulate the complex.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the plurality of particles further comprises at least one of a protein, an antibody, and a dye.

In several embodiments, the biological sample may include viable cells and damaged or compromised cells or cellular structures. The composition may selectively form a complex with one of the viable cells or the damaged or compromised cells or cellular structures, for example according to a first zeta potential charge on the composition and an opposite second zeta potential charge on one of the viable cells or the damaged or compromised cells or cellular structures. The method may further include separating the viable cells from the damaged or compromised cells or cellular structures by applying the magnetic field to the mixture. Because the composition may selectively form a complex with one of the viable cells or the damaged or compromised cells or cellular structures, the portion of the biological sample forming the complex with the composition may be magnetically manipulated and separated from portions of the biological sample not forming the complex with the composition. The method may therefore be a method for selectively and magnetically separating portions of the biological sample according to zeta potential charge.

In various embodiments, the biological sample may include viable sperm cells and damaged or compromised sperm cells or sperm cellular structures. The composition may form a complex with the damaged or compromised sperm cells or sperm cellular structures. The method may further include separating the viable sperm cells from the complex including the damaged or compromised sperm cells or sperm cellular structures by applying the magnetic field to the mixture. Because the composition may selectively form a complex with the damaged or compromised sperm cells or sperm cellular structures, the complex with the damaged or compromised sperm cells or sperm cellular structures may be magnetically manipulated and separated from the viable sperm cells. The method may therefore be a method for selectively and magnetically separating viable sperm cells from the damaged or compromised sperm cells or sperm cellular structures according to zeta potential charge.

In several embodiments, the method may include subjecting the sperm sample to detection, for example fluorescence detection as described herein.

In various embodiments, a kit for magnetic cellular manipulation is provided. The kit may include instructions. The instructions may include contacting a composition with a biological sample to form a mixture. The instructions may also include applying a magnetic field to the mixture to manipulate the composition. The kit may also include the composition. The composition may include a plurality of particles. Each particle in the plurality of particles may include a magnetic substrate. The magnetic substrate may be characterized by a magnetic susceptibility greater than zero. Each particle in the plurality of particles may include a chargeable silicon-containing compound. The chargeable silicon-containing compound may coat at least a portion of the magnetic substrate.

In some embodiments of the kit, the biological sample may include viable cells and damaged or compromised cells or cellular structures. The composition may form a complex with one of the viable cells or the damaged or compromised cells or cellular structures. The instructions may further include separating the viable cells from the damaged or compromised cells or cellular structures by applying the magnetic field to the mixture.

In several embodiments of the kit, the composition may be configured for forming a complex with damaged or compromised sperm cells or sperm cellular structures. The instructions may further include selecting the biological sample comprising viable sperm cells and damaged or compromised sperm cells or sperm cellular structures. The instructions may also include separating the viable sperm cells from the complex including the damaged or compromised sperm cells or sperm cellular structures by applying the magnetic field to the mixture.

Having generally described the present method, more details thereof may be presented in the following EXAMPLES. Although the examples involve sperm cells as the cell item, the selection or application is not intended to limit the scope of the described methods and processes, as other types of cells are valuable in applications of the general teaching of the described methods and processes.

Example 1: Particle Preparation for Magnetic Staining of Dead/Damaged Cells with Sperm as a Representative, Non-Limiting Example

Magnetic cores: Magnetic cores may be fabricated such as by co-precipitation of Fe₃O₄ with Fe₂O₃ so that the magnetic susceptibility of the particles in a chosen magnetic field may be sufficiently high to provide rapid separation of magnetically labeled cells from non-labeled cells. The core may be comprised of any magnetic material; possible non-limiting examples include: (1) ferrites such as magnetite, zinc ferrite, or manganese ferrite; (2) metals such as iron, nickel, or cobalt; and (3) chromium dioxide. In one embodiment, the iron cores are comprised of magnetite (Fe₃O₄). In other embodiments the core may be extended to include substances such as other iron oxide based nanoparticle materials including composites having the general structure MFe₂O₄ (where M may be Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Ti, Ba, Mg, or Pt).

Thus, in this one non-limiting example, a reaction chamber containing 400 mL of dH₂O in a water kettle was warmed to 60° C. To the 400 mL of warmed dH₂O, 23.4 g of FeCl₃.6H₂O and 8.6 g of FeCl₂ or the like was added and the mixture was stirred under N₂ gas. To this solution, 30 mL of 25% NH₃.H₂O was added and mixing was continued under N₂ gas. Almost immediately, the orange salt mixture turned to a dark brown/black solution. The heat was turned off and the ferrofluid slurry was allowed to cool while being vigorously stirred for 30 min. The precipitate was collected magnetically and the supernatant was decanted. To the magnetically collected ferrofluid, 800 mL of dH₂O was added, swirled, and the magnetic collected process was repeated. The washing process was repeated four times to remove substantially all residual NH₃.H₂O and any nonmagnetic particles. The final wash step may include a solution of 800 mL 0.02 M NaCl in dH₂O or the like. The collected iron core sizes were between approximately 3 and approximately 10 nm.

Coating of Iron Cores with a functionalizable surface: The final outer layer may comprise a polymer coat that interacts with the aqueous environment and serves as an attachment site for proteins and ligands. Suitable polymers may include polysaccharides, alkylsilanes, biodegradable polymers such as, for example, poly(lactic acids) (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and polyhydroxybutyrate-valerate (PHBV); composites, and polyolefins such as polyethylene in its different variants. More specifically, polysaccharide chains may include dextrans, arabinogalactan, pullulan, cellulose, cellobios, inulin, chitosan, alginates, and hyaluronic acid. Silicon containing compounds such as alkylsilanes may also be employed to encapsulate the magnetic core. Alkylsilanes suitable for embodiments of the described methods and processes, may include but are not limited to, n-octyltriethoxysilane, tetradecyltrimethoxysilane, hexadecyltri ethoxysilane, hexadecyltrimethoxysilane, hexadecyltriacetoxysilane, methylhexadecyldiacetoxysilane, methyl-hexadecyldimethoxysilane, octadecyltrimethoxysilane, octadecyltrichlorosilane, octadecyltriethoxysilane, and 1,12-bis(trimethoxysilyl)dodecane. In one example, the ratio of iron to silicon containing compound coating may be approximately 0.2. In other embodiments, the ratio of iron to silicon containing compound coating may be greater than about 0.2, such as about 0.4 or 0.8, with a view toward completely coating the iron cores such that the iron cores may be removed from the cell suspension within the magnetic field. Undercoated particles may result in the free metal oxide crystals which may be detrimental to cell viability. In still other embodiments, the ratio of iron to silicon containing compound coating may be less than 0.2. Indeed, the iron concentration divided by the silicon containing compound concentration may be from about 0.1 to about 1.

For the examples of magnetic removal of dead/dying or compromised cells such as sperm, a silicon containing compound may be used to encapsulate the iron cores.

The iron core precipitate may be allowed to settle. With the understanding that throughout this disclosure all amounts, times, and values may be varied up or down such as by 10%, 20%, 30%, or even 40% in any permutation or combination for some embodiments, 67.1 mg of the ferrofluid were added to 100 mL of 10% 2-(carbomethoxy)ethyltrimethoxysilane. 2-(carbomethoxy)ethyltrimethoxysilane is yet another example of a silicon containing compound that is suitable for use in the described methods and processes as a silicon containing compound coating. The pH was adjusted to 4.5 using >99.5% glacial acetic acid, and the suspension was reacted at 70° C. for 2 h under N₂ gas with vigorous mixing. After cooling, the particles may be magnetically collected and washed with dH₂O. After washing, the silane-coated magnetic nanoparticles may be suspended in 5 mL of 0.05 M 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES) Buffer, TRIS Buffer, TALP buffer, or it may remain in the dH₂O until use for separation. The resuspension buffer may be at a pH that retains or creates a net negative zeta potential of the particles.

Iron concentration may be determined using Inductively Couple Plasma-Optical Electron Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and the iron concentration may be adjusted according to milligrams per milliliter needed for optimal dead cell removal. The particles may have an average hydrodynamic diameter of 300 nm, and need to be in a range of 300 to 1000 nm to stay suspended in solution so that maximum interaction between the cells and particles is achieved by keeping the particles in suspension and not settling out due to larger sizes.

Coupling of proteins and ligands to the particle surfaces: In the event that the surface of the particles needs to be treated and conjugated to a protein or antibody, the following methods may be used. Periodate treatment of dextran and other polymers are one method for the attachment of proteins due largely to the large number of reactive groups that are available for modification. Mild sodium periodate treatment may create reactive aldehyde groups by oxidation of adjacent hydroxyl groups or diols. Proteins, antibodies, streptavidin, and amino-modified nucleic acids may be added at high pH to allow amines to form Schiff bases with the aldehydes. The linkages may be subsequently reduced to stable secondary amine linkages by treatment with sodium borohydride or sodium cyanoborohydride, which may reduce unreacted aldehyde groups to alcohols. Another method of coupling proteins to the magnetic nanoparticles may be to create stable hydrazine linkages. For example, a protein may be coupled to dextran using succinimidyl 4-hydrazinonicotinate acetone hydrazone (SANH; Solulink Inc, San Diego, Calif.). The reaction may use five-fold less protein, and the resulting protein density may appear as high as with other methods. The SANH reagent may allow more efficient and gentle coupling of ligands to the dextran surface. Ligand attachment on silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles may be completed using (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTS) to introduce amines on the particle surface while (3-mercaptopropyl)triethoxysilane (MPTMS) introduces SH groups. The heterobifunctional coupling agent (Succinimidyl 4-[N-maleimidomethyl]cyclohexane-1-carboxylate) may then be used to link thiols to the amines. As examples, amines on the particle surface may be linked to thiols on streptavidin molecules, and thiols on the particle surface may be linked to amines on streptavidin. There are several methods of crosslinking proteins through chemical modifications known in the art that may be used for the present embodiments of the described methods and processes. For this example, the carboxylic acid functionalized silane may attach proteins and ligands through EDC chemistry.

EDC Activation of COOH groups on Particle Surface Activation: The silanized particles were re-suspended in 0.05 M MES buffer, collected magnetically, and the supernatant may be aspirated and discarded. Another 5 mL of MES buffer (0.05 M, pH 4.7-5.2) per 10 mg of iron was added to the particles and the suspension was vigorously shaken. Particles were magnetically collected, and the supernatant was aspirated and discarded. This step may be repeated two or so additional times. Frozen EDC was allowed to thaw at room temperature for 30 min. EDC (also known as EDAC or EDCI, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide), commonly obtained as a hydrochloride, is a water soluble carbodiimide, which is typically employed at pH in the range between 4.0 and 6.0. EDC may be used as a chemical crosslinker for collagen, reacting with the carboxylic acid groups of the collagen polymer which may then bond to the amino group in the reaction mixture.

1.6 mg of EDC/mg iron was added to the particle suspension and the suspension was shaken vigorously. Each tube or the like containing particles and EDC was be placed on a laboratory rocker at room temperature for 30 min. After 30 min., particles were magnetically collected, and the supernatant was aspirated and discarded. Buffers of varying salt concentrations, molarities, including but not limited to, 0.1 M to 1 M, and pH ranges from 10 to 4.7 may be used for protein conjugation to the various surfaces. The function of each antibody, protein and ligand optimizes at different pH ranges and molarities, as is known in the art (Hermanson, Bioconjugate Techniques, 2008). In this example, the particle pellet was added to 0.05M MES buffer, particles may be magnetically collected, and supernatant may be aspirated and discarded. This step may be repeated three or so times. 10 mg of protein, ligand or stain was suspended in 0.05M MES buffer and added to the particles so that the total labeling volume was about 5 mL per 10 mg of iron.

A stoichiometric balance of 1 mg of protein, ligand, or stain per 1 mg of iron was used for the coupling reaction. Some experiments suggested that the best binding of dead or compromised cells is concentration dependent and may occur at about this concentration (with the above percentage variations applicable, of course). The range in antibody or protein used may include, but is not limited to, 0.125 mg to 5 mg of antibody per mg of iron. Tubes were shaken and placed on a laboratory rocker at room temperature for 24 h, and particles were magnetically collected. The supernatant was aspirated and discarded. Each particle suspension was suspended in 5 mL of MES buffer. To each tube, 5 mL of quenching solution (1M glycine, pH 8.0) was added and the tubes were shaken vigorously. Quenching solutions may include, but are not limited to, 2-mercaptoethanol, ethanolamine, glycine, UV exposure, size exclusion and magnetic collection. Each tube was placed on a laboratory rocker for 30 min. at room temperature. After 30 minutes, 5 mL of wash buffer was added to each tube and shaken to mix. The particles were magnetically separated, and the supernatant was aspirated and discarded. This step may be repeated 4 or so times. After the conjugation process was complete, particles were magnetically collected, washed, and filtered to obtain a size distribution of 50 to 400 nm. After the wash steps, each particle suspension was suspended in a buffer for the particular cells, such as for sperm cells or other such cells, with a pH (6.0-8.0) and osmolarity (250-350) suitable for optimal sperm or other cell viability such as but not limited to TRIS solution, Sodium Citrate solution, TEST solution, egg yolk-TRIS (pH 6.5-7.4), egg yolk-sodium citrate (pH 6.5-7.4), egg yolk-TEST (pH 6.5-7.6), milk extenders (pH 6.5-7.4), commercially available extenders marketed by IMV International, Maple Grove, Minn., USA and MiniTube GmbH, Vernona, Wis., USA and chemically defied media including but limited to TALP (pH 6.0-8.0) Tyrodes (pH 6.0-8.0) and Hepes BGM-3 (pH 6.0-8.0) so that the resultant working iron concentration was about 4 mg/mL as confirmed by Inductive Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES).

The particles may be advantageously on the order of about 300 nm so that interaction between the particles and that of the damaged or dead cells is maximized in solution. If particles are too large, such interaction may not occur due to the settling effect of the larger sized particles in solution. If particles are smaller than approximately 30 nm, they may either not be sufficiently magnetic and higher magnetic susceptibility core materials within a chosen magnetic energy field will have to be generated, or these small particles may contribute to nonspecific binding; that is, they may bind to viable cells as well as to dead and dying cells. If nonspecific binding relating to particle size is problematic, particle size may either be increased, or a blocking agent dependent upon the particular cells involved, such as nonfat dried milk or serum albumin for sperm, may be added to the labeling buffer solution to minimize such nonspecific binding.

The surface charged particles used in Examples 2-4 are comprised of Fe₃O₄ coated with 2-(carbomethoxy)ethyltrimethoxysilane, without further activation or functionalization. The ratio of iron to silicon containing compound coating is approximately 0.2.

Example 2: Removal of Damaged Cells

Removal of Dead and Dying Sperm from a Thawed Cryopreserved Semen Sample.

Six straws of semen were obtained from liquid nitrogen and thawed in a water batch for 2 min. Contents of all six straws were emptied into one 50 mL falcon tube (about 240 million sperm). About 10 mL of bovine sheath fluid was added and the cells were spun for 7 min at 1800 RPMs. The supernatant was decanted. The cell pellet was re-suspended in 2 mL of bovine sheath fluid and the cells were divided equally into seven appropriately labeled tubes. To each tube (not the unlabeled control or the original dead control), 0.1 mg of surface charged particles were added to each tube requiring particles. Samples were either incubated in a 34° C. water bath for 20 min or at room temperature for 20 min, to determine whether uptake of particles is facilitated at a higher temperature. After the incubation period had expired, the cell suspensions containing the particles and magnetically labeled cells were placed in a magnetic field. Once a magnetic pellet was collected, the nonmagnetic supernatant was aspirated and placed into another tube. Propidium iodide was added to the nonmagnetic fraction to label the dead and dying population to compare it to the original percent dead and dying cells that were not treated with particles. Cells were incubated with 100 μl of propidium iodide in the dark for 20 min and analyzed by a flow cytometer. The original dead percent was approximately 81% and was reduced to 15% using the magnetic particle treatment (FIG. 1A-1L).

Removal of Dead and Dying Sperm from a Fresh Bull Semen Sample.

One ejaculate was collected from each of three bulls. The ejaculate sperm concentration and volume were recorded and 640×10⁶ cells per ejaculate were divided into four aliquots. Cells were gently centrifuged at 5000 RPMs for 6 min and the seminal plasma was aspirated from the pellet with a pipette. Each cell pellet was re-suspended in 4 mL of pre-warmed TRIS medium, so that the concentration of cells was 160×106 cells/mL. One mL of each re-suspended cell pellet was pipetted into four different 50 mL conical tubes: 1) control 34° C., 2) control RT, 3) particle treated 34° C., and 4) particle treated RT. To each treated sample, 100 μl of a 1.8 mg stock solution of net negative charged magnetic particles re-suspended in 600 μl of storage buffer (pH 7.4 PBS+0.1% BSA) was added and placed at the appropriate temperature for 20 min. After the 20 min incubation period had expired, for those samples containing particles, they were placed in front of a magnet for 1 min. The nonmagnetic fraction was aspirated out of the tube and placed into an eppendorf tube. From each sample after each magnetic separation was complete, aliquots were analyzed by flow cytometry for the dead percent prior to particle treatment as well as the dead percent after particle treatment. The average increase in viable sperm after the particle treatment was 18.7% (a change from an average of 74.68% viable to 93.38% viable after treatment). Optimal separation may occur once sperm that are susceptible have begun the process of capacitation and membrane alteration and have begun to die. This happens once the pH of the sperm has increased by at least 0.36 pH units (Vredenburgh-Wilberg, W. I. and Parrish, J. J. “Intracellular pH of Bovine Sperm Increases During Capacitation,” Molecular Reproduction and Development 40:490-502, 1995).

Results:

Bull A Control 34° C. 77.90% Bull A Treated 34° C. 94.90% Bull A Control RT 77.60% Bull A Treated RT 95.37% Bull B Control 34° C. 78.73% Bull B Treated 34° C. 98.70% Bull B Control RT 83.53% Bull B Treated RT 97.87% Bull C Control 34° C. 66.60% Bull C Treated 34° C. 88.43% Bull C Control RT 63.87% Bull C Treated RT 85.03%

Example 3: Removal of Damaged Sperm from Stallion Ejaculates

One ejaculate from each of three stallions was collected. Ejaculate sperm concentration was determined using a densimeter. Motility was determined objectively by a Sperm Vision CASA System (MiniTube, Verona, Wis., USA). The pH of the raw ejaculate was measured. Two aliquots of 160×10⁶ total sperm were removed from each ejaculate from each stallion, representing control and treated samples. For control samples, sperm were immediately re-suspended in 1 mL of Modified Whitten's medium (pH 7.0) (Funahashi et al., 1996; Biology of Reproduction, 54:1412-1419) and held at room temperature. For particle treated sperm, 160×10⁶ total sperm from each stallion were added to 1 mL of particles from a 3.6 mg/mL stock solution that had been collected and removed from a particle storage medium and suspended in 1 mL of Modified Whitten's medium in a 50-mL Falcon tube. The sperm/particle admixture was allowed to incubate at room temperature for 20 min. Following incubation, the tube was placed onto a magnet for 3 min. The non-magnetic fraction was removed by aspiration and transferred to a clean test tube. Total and progressive motility of the enriched sperm from each stallion was determined using the Sperm Vision CASA System and compared to the initial motility determinations.

All samples were then diluted to 25×10⁶ progressively motile sperm/mL with E-Z Mixin® CST (Animal Reproduction Systems, Chino, Calif., USA) and allowed to cool to 5° C. for 24 h. Following the 24 h cooling period, samples were warmed to 37.5° C. for 10 min and assayed for total and progressive motility using the Sperm Vision CASA System.

Results:

0-h 0-h 24-h Cooled 24-h Cooled Total Progressive Total Progressive Motility % Motility % Motility % Motility % Stallion A Ejaculate pH: 6.91 Control 78 59 50 45 Treated 88 73 60 50 Stallion B Ejaculate pH: 6.96 Control 61 48 11 6 Treated 65 51 26 22 Stallion C Ejaculate pH: 7.40 Control 75 72 53 47 Treated 88 82 61 58 OVERALL RESULTS 0-h 0-h 24-h Cooled 24-h Cooled Total Progressive Total Progressive N Motility % Motility % Motility % Motility % Control 3 71.3 59.7 38 32.7 Treated 3 80.3 68.7 49 43.3

The removal of damaged/dead sperm from a fresh ejaculate, followed by extending and cooling sperm for 24 h resulted in an increase in both total and progressive motile sperm in each treated sample compared to controls. The overall improvement in motility scores from treated samples was observed at both the 0 h (prior to cooling) and post-cool 24 h period.

Example 4: Removal of Damaged Sperm from Stallion Ejaculates Prior to Cryopreservation

On day 1, a single ejaculate was collected from each of two stallions and divided into two aliquots, one for the untreated control and the other for the particle treated sample. The neat semen was immediately diluted 1:1 with Modified Whitten's medium. The diluted samples were centrifuged for 7 min to remove the seminal plasma. The supernatant was immediately aspirated and discarded. The sperm pellet was suspended and sperm concentration was obtained. The untreated control aliquots were re-suspended to 40×10⁶ cells/mL in a French egg yolk/milk extender containing 5% glycerol. Control sperm were cooled for 2 h at 5° C., packaged in 0.5 mL straws, and frozen over liquid nitrogen vapor. To the treated aliquots, 1:1 mL of particles (3.6 mg/mL) re-suspended in Modified Whitten's medium was added to 160×10⁶ total sperm contained in 500 μL of Modified Whitten's medium. Treated samples were allowed to incubate with the particles for 20 min at room temperature. Following particle exposure time to the sperm, the particles were magnetically collected and the nonmagnetic fraction was aspirated and dispensed into a separate tube. Treated samples for both stallions were extended to a total of 4 mL with a French egg yolk/milk extender containing 5% glycerol. Treated sperm were allowed to cool for 2 h at 5° C., and were packaged in 0.5 mL straws and frozen over liquid nitrogen.

On day 2, a single ejaculate was collected from each of two stallions and each ejaculate was divided into two aliquots: untreated control and particle treated. The neat semen was diluted 1:1 with Modified Whitten's medium, and centrifuged for 9 min. The seminal plasma was aspirated and discarded. For both control and treated samples, 80×10⁶ total sperm were deposited into 275 μL Whitten's medium. Control samples were extended to 40×10⁶ sperm/mL in a total of 2 mL with EZ Freezin-LE (Animal Reproduction Systems) a prepackaged Lactose/EDTA freezing extender containing 5% glycerol. Treated samples were allowed to incubate with the particles for 20 min at room temperature. After the incubation period had expired, magnetically labeled cells were collected on a magnet and the nonmagnetic cells were aspirated and placed in another tube. Treated samples were re-suspended to 40×10⁶ sperm/mL in a total of 2 mL with EZ Freezin-LE. Extended semen from each stallion/treatment was packaged in 0.5 mL straws and placed on a freezing rack. The freezing rack was placed inside of a styrofoam box containing a known depth of liquid nitrogen so that the straws were in the vapor phase of the nitrogen and the lid was loosely placed over the top of the box.

Results:

CONTROL (%) TREATED (%) Total Progressive Total Progressive Stallion Motility Motility Live Dead Motility Motility Live Dead Sammy 5 2 22 78 45 30 70 30 Gunsmoke 15 5 14 86 40 10 75 25 Tinman 62 22 56 44 67 26 73 27 Scotti 62 34 50 50 58 33 54 46 MEAN 0-h TOTAL AND PROGRESSIVE MOTILITY (%) and Live/Dead (%) Total Progressive Motility Motility Live Dead Control 36 16 36 64 Treated 52 25 68 32 N = 4 Stallions

Removal of damaged/dead stallion sperm prior to cryopreservation increased 0 h post-thaw total and progressive motility by 44% and 62% respectively, compared to control sperm. The percentage of viable sperm immediately after thawing was increased 32 percentage points or 89% when dead and/or damaged sperm were removed prior to cryopreservation. Removal of compromised sperm prior to cryopreservation increased overall sperm quality.

Zeta potential measurements of carboxyl group containing silane coated magnetic particles in buffers such as TRIS, TALP, dH₂O, and storage buffer were measured by a zeta sizer and the resulting net zeta potential is shown in FIGS. 2A-7F. Particles with carboxyl silane coating in this example measure as a net negative zeta potential in each buffer condition and may be expected to bind to sperm having undergone or undergoing capacitation and losing the net negative charge seen in viable sperm.

Parameters for FIGS. 1A-1C:

Quadrant Statistics File: unstaned.001 Log Data Units: Linear Values Sample ID: unstained Patient ID: Tube: Untitled Panel: Untitled Acquisition Tube List Acquisition 09-Dec-11 Gate: G1 Date: Gated Events 1000 Total Events: 12962 X Parameter: FL1-H (Log) Y Parameter: FL2-H (Log) Quad 9, 14 location: % % X Geo Quad Events Gated Total X Mean Mean Y Mean Y Mean UL 3 0.03 0.02 7.17 7.13 17.80 17.78 UR 1 0.01 13.95 13.95 29.96 29.96 LL 9996 99.96 77.18 2.76 2.59 3.22 2.88 LR 0 0.00 0.00 *** *** *** ***

Parameters for FIGS. 1D-1F:

Quadrant Statistics File: unstaned.001 Log Data Units: Linear Values Sample ID: unstained Patient ID: Tube: Untitled Panel: Untitled Acquisition Tube List Acquisition 09-Dec-11 Gate: G1 Date: Gated Events 1000 Total Events: 12962 X Parameter: FL1-H (Log) Y Parameter: FL2-H (Log) Quad 9, 14 location: % % X Geo Quad Events Gated Total X Mean Mean Y Mean Y Mean UL 8132 81.32 69.70 2.73 2.59 143.93 131.70 UR 4 0.04 0.05 15.06 13.04 128.51 120.79 LL 1863 16.63 15.97 3.02 2.83 3.57 3.35 LR 1 0.01 0.01 9.82 9.82 9.22 9.22

Parameters for FIGS. 1G-1I

Quadrant Statistics File: non-mag 34.006 Log Data Units: Linear Values Sample ID: non-mag 34 Patient ID: Tube: Untitled Panel: Untitled Acquisition Tube List Acquisition 9 Dec. 2011 Gate: G1 Date: Gated Events 1000 Total Events: 31123 X Parameter: FL1-H (Log) Y Parameter: FL2-H (Log) Quad 9, 14 location: % % X X Geo Y Y Quad Events Gated Total Mean Mean Mean Mean UL 1473 14.73 4.70 2.98 2.74 49.18 43.42 UR 3 0.03 0.01 319.23 82.54 34.20 29.60 LL 8516 85.16 27.36 2.93 2.64 3.87 3.38 LR 8 0.06 0.03 21.04 14.19 7.42 6.31

Parameters for FIGS. 1J-1L

Quadrant Statistics File: non-mag RT.005 Log Data Units: Linear Values Sample ID: non-mag RT Patient ID: Tube: Untitled Panel: Untitled Acquisition Tube List Acquisition 9 Dec. 2011 Gate: G1 Date: Gated Events 1000 Total Events: 31123 X Parameter: FL1-H (Log) Y Parameter: FL2-H (Log) Quad 9, 14 location: % % X X Geo Y Y Quad Events Gated Total Mean Mean Mean Mean UL 1832 18.32 6.26 2.65 2.52 52.41  45.04  UR 0 0.00 0.00 *** *** *** *** LL 8168 81.68 27.92 2.70 2.42 3.63 3.12 LR 0 0.00 0.00 *** *** *** ***

Parameters for FIGS. 2A and 2B

Measurement Details Sample Name Lot-103011 1:10 Zeta 3 Temperature (C. °):  29.0 Dispersant Name: Water Count Rate (kcps): 163.5 Viscosity (cP): 0.8096 Zeta Runs:  12 Dispersant RI: 1.330 Attenuator:  6 Monomodal Analysis Results Result Quality: Good Mobility (μmcm/Vs): −2.383 Zeta Potential (mV): −28.2 Standard Deviation (μmcm/Vs):   1.876 Standard Deviation (mV):   22.2 Conductivity (mS/cm):   2.48 Quality Factor:    3.15 Multimodal Distribution Mean (mv) Area (%) Width (mV) Peak 1: −26.1 100.0 6.52 Peak 2:    0.00  0.00 0.00 Peak 3:    0.00  0.00 0.00

Parameters for FIGS. 3A and 3B

Measurement Details Sample Name Lot-103011 1:10 Zeta 4 Temperature (C. °):  29.0 Dispersant Name: Water Count Rate (kcps): 164 Viscosity (cP): 0.8096 Zeta Runs:  12 Dispersant RI: 1.330 Attenuator:  6 Monomodal Analysis Results Result Quality: — Mobility (μmcm/Vs): −1.891 Zeta Potential (mV): −22.4 Standard Deviation (μmcm/Vs):   2.354 Standard Deviation (mV):   27.9 Conductivity (mS/cm):   2.54 Quality Factor:    1.45 Multimodal Distribution Mean (mv) Area (%) Width (mV) Peak 1: −25.8 49.6 5.73 Peak 2: −11.1  0.00 6.77 Peak 3: −47.3  3.4 3.83

Parameters for FIGS. 4A and 4B

Measurement Details Sample Name Lot-043012-A TALP Temperature (C. °):  29.0 buffer 1:10 Z . . . Dispersant Name: Water Count Rate (kcps): 183.1 Viscosity (cP): 0.8096 Zeta Runs:  12 Dispersant RI: 1.330 Attenuator:  7 Monomodal Analysis Results Result Quality: Good Mobility (μmcm/Vs): −2.074 Zeta Potential (mV): −24.6 Standard Deviation (μmcm/Vs):   0.6904 Standard Deviation (mV):    8.18 Conductivity (mS/cm):   1.80 Quality Factor:    3.54 Multimodal Distribution Mean (mv) Area (%) Width (mV) Peak 1: −24.6 100 8.18 Peak 2:    0.00  0.00 0.00 Peak 3:    0.00  0.00 0.00

Parameters for FIGS. 5A and 5B

Measurement Details Sample Name Lot-043012-A MRS Temperature (C. °):  29.0 buffer 1:10 Z . . . Dispersant Name: Water Count Rate (kcps): 146.5 Viscosity (cP): 0.8096 Zeta Runs:  12 Dispersant RI: 1.330 Attenuator:  6 Monomodal Analysis Results Result Quality: Good Mobility (μmcm/Vs): −1.392 Zeta Potential (mV): −16.5 Standard Deviation (μmcm/Vs):   0.5526 Standard Deviation (mV):    6.55 Conductivity (mS/cm):   2.28 Quality Factor:    3.74 Multimodal Distribution Mean (mv) Area (%) Width (mV) Peak 1: −16.5 100 6.55 Peak 2:    0.00  0.00 0.00 Peak 3:    0.00  0.00 0.00

Parameters for FIGS. 6A and 6B

Measurement Details Sample Name Lot-043012-A dH20 Temperature (C. °): 29.0 1:10 Zeta 2 Dispersant Name: Water Count Rate (kcps): 70.4 Viscosity (cP): 0.8096 Zeta Runs: 12 Dispersant RI: 1.330 Attenuator:  6 Monomodal Analysis Results Result Quality: Good Mobility (μmcm/Vs): −2.244 Zeta Potential (mV): −26.6 Standard Deviation (μmcm/Vs):   6.039 Standard Deviation (mV):   71.6 Conductivity (mS/cm):   0.0331 Quality Factor:    2.31 Multimodal Distribution Mean (mv) Area (%) Width (mV) Peak 1: −0.594 100 6.89 Peak 2:   0.00  0.0 0.00 Peak 3:   0.00  0.0 0.00

Parameters for FIGS. 7A and 7F

Sample Details Sample Name: 041212-B-Tris Zeta Mean SOP Name: Zeta standard 3 × 20 25C no wait.sop File Name 2012-01020 new measure . . . Dispersant Water Name: Record Number 1659 Dispersant RI: 1.330 Measurement Date and Time: Friday, Apr. 20, 2012 2:550:0 Viscosity (cP): 0.8872 System Temperature (C. °):  25.0 Zeta Runs: 20 Count Rate (kcps): 2456.7 Measurement Position (mm):  2.00 Cell Description: Clear disposable zeta cell Attenuator:  9 Results Result Quality: Good Zeta Potential (mV):  −42.2 Zeta SD (mV):    5.70 Mobility (μmcm/Vs):  −3.307 Mobility SD    0.4464 (μmcm/Vs): Wall Zeta Potential  −47.9 (mV): Effective Voltage (V):   151 Conductivity    0.240 (mS/cm): Mean (mv) Area (%) Width (mV) Peak 1: −42.2 100 5.64 Peak 2:    0.00  0.00 0.00 Peak 3:    0.00  0.00 0.00

To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” To the extent that the term “selectively” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to refer to a condition of a component wherein a user of the apparatus may activate or deactivate the feature or function of the component as is necessary or desired in use of the apparatus. To the extent that the terms “coupled” or “operatively connected” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to mean that the identified components are connected in a way to perform a designated function. To the extent that the term “substantially” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to mean that the identified components have the relation or qualities indicated with degree of error as would be acceptable in the subject industry.

As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural unless the singular is expressly specified. For example, reference to “a compound” may include a mixture of two or more compounds, as well as a single compound.

As used herein, the term “about” in conjunction with a number is intended to include ±10% of the number. In other words, “about 10” may mean from 9 to 11.

As used herein, the terms “optional” and “optionally” mean that the subsequently described circumstance may or may not occur, so that the description includes instances where the circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges thereof. Any listed range may be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, and the like. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein may be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, and the like. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” include the number recited and refer to ranges which may be subsequently broken down into sub-ranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member. For example, a group having 1-3 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 cells. Similarly, a group having 1-5 cells refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 cells, and so forth. While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

As stated above, while the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the present application. Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, illustrative examples shown, or any apparatus referred to. Departures may be made from such details, examples, and apparatuses without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept.

The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. 

1. A method of separating viable sperm from dead or damaged sperm comprising: diluting a semen sample comprising viable sperm, and dead or damaged sperm, with a buffered media; adding magnetic particles to the diluted semen sample to form an admixture; incubating the admixture for a period of time; placing the admixture in proximity to a magnet; aspirating the admixture.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnetic particles comprise Fe₃O₄.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnetic particles comprise 2-(carbomethoxy)ethyltrimethoxysilane.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the dead or damaged sperm are bound to the magnetic particles through an electrical charge interaction.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnetic particles comprise a negative zeta potential charge.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of aspirating the admixture comprises removing viable sperm from the admixture.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of centrifuging the semen sample.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of decanting the centrifuged semen sample.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of resuspending the centrifuged semen sample in buffered media. 